It's time for school . . . it's time for buzos!

Clarina displays a finished buzo.

In Chile as in the United States, the beginning of school brings out the notebooks, backpacks, pencils, crayons, and a rush of parents and children to buy them in the supermarkets and librerías -- those small but well-stocked Chilean stores that sell almost anything having to do with paper.

It takes a long table for the mass production of buzos. Material is ordered in bulk from Santiago.

All Chilean schools require uniforms . . . and making these uniforms is an important home industry for women who are skilled seamstresses.

At Casa Ursulina, the uniform of choice is the buzo (BOO-soh), a warm sweatsuit required by all elementary schools, in addition to regular dress uniforms. At Casa Ursulina, our seamstresses work with four patterns and color combinations . . . for four schools in this region.

In mid February, parents begin bringing their children to be measured for their buzos. The women who will make them carefully note colors, sizes, and any alterations that may be necessary. Some work is done at the Casa, some at home. During the buzo season, every free corner is stacked with pieces or completed suits. Delivery is scheduled in one week, and the women always meet the deadline. Casa Ursulina is noted for excellent service and work of high quality.

 

Above -- Sewing of buzos takes place at Casa Ursulina or in the women's homes, since several have been able to purchase sewing machines with the proceeds from their work. Experienced seamstresses work with novices who will soon be able to work on their own. A group of four can make 200 buzos in a season. Right -- The logo of each school is placed on the buzo jacket by a computer-programmed automatic embroidery machine. During the buzo season, our two embroidery machines are running from early morning to day's end. They produce beautiful, professional-looking logos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Constanza had fun getting her picture taken as she got measured for her very first buzo -- size 4! She was also excited about school. She started kindergarten on March 2.
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